No surprise the Hotline should be dominated by Stewart Gilmour’s claims that Peter Lawwell is running Scottish football.

No surprise either in the former St Mirren chairman’s comments which to many only confirm what they’ve believed to be true for years.

Bill Anderson, East Kilbride, said: “Thank you Stewart Gilmour for having the honesty to say out loud what the rest of us know to be true. Peter Lawwell runs Scottish football and whatever Celtic want Celtic get.”

Ian Lewis, Ayr, said: “At last the truth is out. Lawwell does run Scottish football. Well said Gilmour. Lawwell runs the game for the benefit of one club. It’s a disgrace he’s taken advantage of a weak Rangers.”

Neil Doncaster and Peter Lawwell

John Campbell, Clydebank, said: “Peter Lawwell has been working SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster like a puppet for years.

“It’s time for Doncaster to go and the rest of his cronies at the SFA should follow suit. It’s just been an old pals act for years and there is no trust in Scottish football.”

But not everyone was so quick to get behind former Gilmour, who wasn’t so fearlessly outspoken when he was actually in a position of authority.

“This is the man who single handedly wrecked his own club by sacking Danny Lennon who won St Mirren’s only major trophy in over 30 years, then showed a complete lack of sensitivity by appointing his assistant Tommy Craig.

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“On the evidence I’ve seen, the guy was worth no more than £50,000. He’s been anonymous at Rangers , as he was at Bolton. Good riddance.”

Tom McDade, Southampton, disagrees though, saying: “Mark Warburton’s main rivals must be rubbing their hands at his antics.

“He certainly has a few loafers in his squad, but there are others who should be sent out on loan before Michael O’Halloran. Apart from Barrie McKay, O’Halloran’s performance was as good if not better than most of the others against Leipzig.

“An extended run in the starting line up would give him the opportunity to prove that he is worth every penny paid to St Johnstone. The Premiership managers reported to be interested obviously think that he is well worth a punt.”

Michael O'Halloran's future at Rangers could be coming to an end

Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “I’m surprised no one has mentioned Jonny Hayes for Celtic because I think he’s a brilliant player.

“If Gary Mackay-Steven is indeed to leave then surely he’d be a great fit for Aberdeen so it would make perfect sense for the two clubs to do a swap.”

Lee Griffiths, Connahs Quay, said: “Celtic fans should realise they are the biggest fish in a very tiny pool in terms of european football.

“Scottish football is a backwater comparable to Sweden and Norway.

“The money on offer in the big leagues for players like Kieran Tierney and Moussa Dembele is life changing, so why would they not move now as who knows what can happen in the future regarding form and injuries.

“Medals don’t pay bills!”

Does that now make TWO Lee Griffiths desperate to see Dembele leave in January?

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele

Speaking of whom, John Daniels, Croftfoot, has a Point of Order for yesterday’s Hotline caller who accused Celtic of poaching players from Hibs for a song over the years.

John said: “Celtic didn’t snatch Leigh Griffiths from Hibs, they signed him from Wolves - and they paid £4million for Scott Brown so they can’t complain.”

Finally, William Brown, Musselburgh, said: “I was disappointed in the recent Walter Smith interview that there was no questions put to him of David Murray’s running of the club - or the EBT tax avoidance scheme which deprives money to hospitals and schools.

“It’s all very well talking about Craig Whyte and Charles Green’s role in ruining the club but Mr Murray appears to me to be getting away Scott free.”